Abstract: An optical sensor includes pixels. Each pixel has a photodetector. A readout circuit performs a process over an exposure time where the photodetector is connected to a reverse bias voltage supply to reset a voltage across the photodetector, and the photodetector is disconnected from the reverse bias voltage supply until that the voltage across the photodetector decreases in response to received ambient light. An ambient light level is then determine an based on a number of times the voltage across the photodetector is reset over the exposure time.

Abstract: A method of measuring the phase of a response signal relative to a periodic excitation signal, comprises the steps of producing for each cycle of the response signal two transitions synchronized to a clock and framing a reference point of the cycle; swapping the two transitions to confront them in turns to the cycles of the response signal; measuring the offsets of the confronted transitions relative to the respective reference points of the cycles; performing a delta-sigma modulation of the swapping rate of the two transitions based on the successive offsets; and producing a phase measurement based on the duty cycle of the swapping rate.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a histogram output from a detector sensor, and calculating a median point of a pulse waveform within the histogram. The pulse waveform has an even probability distribution over at least one quantization step of the histogram around the median point. A corresponding apparatus can include a detector sensor and a co-processor coupled to the detector sensor.

Abstract: An optical sensor includes pixels. Each pixel has a photodetector and a semiconductor guard ring around the photodetector. The photodetector and the semiconductor guard ring are dimensioned so that a fill factor of the pixel is less than or equal to 50%.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a proximity detection device. The proximity detection device includes one or more photodetectors and a readout circuit configured to sample one or more output signals from the one or more photodetectors at regular intervals throughout a detection period. The proximity detection device includes a pulse transmission circuit configured to transmit into the scene a first optical pulse having a first pulse duration and a second optical pulse having a second pulse duration that is at least 50 percent longer than the first pulse duration.

Abstract: The following steps are performed in connection with a photodiode circuit: a) resetting the photodiode circuit; b) determining when a photodiode voltage changes in response to illumination to reach a threshold; and c) updating a counter in response to the determination in step b). The steps a) to c) are repeated until an end of a measurement period is reached. The value of the counter at the end of the measurement period is then output to indicate an intensity of the illumination.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device and method for measuring a flicker frequency of a light source configured to implement at least one phase lock loop.

Abstract: A depth map sensor includes a first array of first pixels, each first pixel having a first photodetector associated with a pixel circuit that comprises a plurality of first bins for accumulating events. A clock source is configured to generate a plurality of phase-shifted clock signals. A first circuit has a plurality of first output lines coupled to the first array of first pixels. The first circuit is configured to receive the plurality of phase-shifted clock signals. The first circuit includes a first block and a second block. The first block is configured to propagate the plurality of phase-shifted clock signals to the second block during a first period determined by a first enable signal and the second block configured to select to which of the plurality of first output lines each of the plurality of phase-shifted clock signals is applied.

Abstract: A method for managing a dynamic range of an optical detection device illuminated by a modulated optical radiation, the method including: generating a detection signal from the modulated optical radiation; generating, based on the detection signal, a histogram including a plurality of histogram classes; comparing a chosen maximum value and a value of each histogram class of the plurality of histogram classes; and stopping a generation of the histogram in response to a determination that the value of any one of the plurality of histogram classes is equal to the maximum value.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of laser safety verification for a depth map sensor, comprising illuminating, during a first illumination phase, using a laser illumination system, a first cluster of one or more first pixels of a pixel array of the depth map sensor, while not illuminating a second cluster, different from the first cluster, of one or more second pixels of the pixel array of the depth map sensor; and detecting, during the first illumination phase, a level of illumination of the second cluster.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a depth map sensor including a light source for transmitting light pulses into an image scene; an array of pixel circuits, where each pixel circuit has a photodetector and three asynchronous counters; and a control circuit to control each of a plurality of groups of the pixel circuits of the array to generate a histogram of detection events by accumulating events during eight distinct time intervals between consecutive light pulses transmitted by the light source, such that the histogram comprises eight or more histogram bins.

Abstract: A method of detecting ambient luminous radiation includes resetting and triggering a counter each time a photodiode illuminated by the ambient luminous radiation reaches a discharge threshold. The counter is then being clocked by a clock signal having a first frequency and delivering a counter output signal. The method further includes generating an AC signal representative of the ambient luminous radiation by converting, from digital to analog, a digital signal obtained from the counter output signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a proximity detection device. The proximity detection device includes one or more photodetectors and a readout circuit configured to sample one or more output signals from the one or more photodetectors at regular intervals throughout a detection period. The proximity detection device includes a pulse transmission circuit configured to transmit into the scene a first optical pulse having a first pulse duration and a second optical pulse having a second pulse duration that is at least 50 percent longer than the first pulse duration.

Abstract: An optical sensor includes pixels. Each pixel has a photodetector and a semiconductor guard ring around the photodetector. The photodetector and the semiconductor guard ring are dimensioned so that a fill factor of the pixel is less than or equal to 50%.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method for measuring an average frequency of an AC signal includes receiving the AC signal, triggering a first counter that is clocked at a first frequency, detecting each zero crossing of the AC signal in a predetermined crossing direction, recording a value of the first counter at each detected zero crossing, incrementing a second counter at each detected zero crossing, and calculating the average frequency of the AC signal based on the first frequency, a last recorded value of the first counter, and a last value of the second counter.

Abstract: A method of measuring the phase of a response signal relative to a periodic excitation signal, comprises the steps of producing for each cycle of the response signal two transitions synchronized to a clock and framing a reference point of the cycle; swapping the two transitions to confront them in turns to the cycles of the response signal; measuring the offsets of the confronted transitions relative to the respective reference points of the cycles; performing a delta-sigma modulation of the swapping rate of the two transitions based on the successive offsets; and producing a phase measurement based on the duty cycle of the swapping rate.

Abstract: A method of measuring the phase of a response signal relative to a periodic excitation signal, comprises the steps of producing for each cycle of the response signal two transitions synchronized to a clock and framing a reference point of the cycle; swapping the two transitions to confront them in turns to the cycles of the response signal; measuring the offsets of the confronted transitions relative to the respective reference points of the cycles; performing a delta-sigma modulation of the swapping rate of the two transitions based on the successive offsets; and producing a phase measurement based on the duty cycle of the swapping rate.

Abstract: A ranging apparatus includes an array of light sensitive detectors configured to receive light from a light source which has been reflected by an object. The array includes a number of different zones. Readout circuitry including at least one read out channel is configured to read data output from each of the zones. A processor operates to process the data output to determine position information associated with the object.

Abstract: A method, for determining the real distance separating an object and an optical detection system, includes, from several so-called reported distances respectively less than or equal to individual reference distances dependent respectively on modulation frequencies: in a first step, determining an initial deviation coefficient between the reported distances and incrementing the smallest of the reported distances with the corresponding individual reference distance; then in a second step, determining a current deviation coefficient between the current distances obtained in the preceding step and incrementing the smallest of the current distances with the corresponding individual reference distance; and in a third step, repeating the second step until all the current distances exceed a common reference distance greater than the individual reference distances.

Abstract: A ranging device includes an array of photon detection devices that receive an optical signal reflected by an object in an image scene and first and second logic devices to respectively combine the outputs of first and second pluralities of the photon detection devices. First and second counter circuits are respectively coupled an output of the first and second logic devices and generate first and second count values respectively by counting the photon detection events generated by the first and second pluralities of photon detection devices. A range estimation circuit estimates the range of the object by estimating the timing of one or more pulses of said optical signal based on the first and second count values.